Welcome to Freebie Friday! I hope you’ve enjoyed our week-long blogiversary celebration. I’ve enjoyed reading all of your heartfelt comments this week and throughout the past year. And I do read each and every one!

I love bringing you this blog five days a week, 52 weeks a year. Some might think that would be a daunting task. You have to run out of ideas sooner or later, right? Luckily, I’m constantly surrounded by inspiration. And since my introvert tendencies make me sit and stew over things, once an idea hits me, I immediately exclaim, “That could be a blog post!” And the rest is history…

Since I shared my favorite blog posts with you on Monday, today I’d like to share some editor insights on a few of our more controversial posts. Because let’s face it, I know you all like a juicy story just as much as me! And with this full disclosure, I’ll share some of my favorite reader comments. Some of them were so laugh-out-loud funny, I immediately had to forward them on to the rest of the team. And within seconds, laughter could be heard erupting from our cubicles and nearby offices. There’s some colorful PC peeps out there!

So, without further ado, here’s a few headline-making posts of 2009:

1. Birthday Idol – April 29, 2009: In honor of Susan’s birthday last year, we decided to go with an American Idol theme since she loves the show and had just joined a rock ‘n roll band. Little did I know, but I apparently offended one of her die-hard fans by making this innocent comment: “Kelly Clarkson, eat your heart out! There’s a new Idol in town.” I assure you, as a fellow Texan and fan of Kelly’s music, I was not referring to her weight at all. I was merely suggesting that Susan was the new “Idol” in Paper Crafts land.

2. Do You Like to Make Stuff – May, 26, 2009: Brandy had no idea what she was setting herself up for with this post. It began with her listing the things she likes to make: cookies, friends, cards, magazines, etc. The comment prompt to win a prize was: “What do you like to make?” Summer Braxton chimed in with: “I hope I don’t offend anyone…but I like to make whoopee with my husband…especially since he just got home from a year-long deployment.” (Summer, your comment was one I most definitely forwarded to the rest of the team! Thanks for the giggle!)

3. Gallery Idol Top 10…Coming Soon – July 17, 2009: This is probably the most painful post I had to write last year. (See finalist Jo Kill’s card below. The sentiment reads: “Sometimes Life Sucks…” And it did that day!) Long story short, I was on vacation in San Diego and had to post the Top 10 results of our Gallery Idol competition. Our webmaster was suppose to e-mail me the results over the weekend, he forgot and the inmates turned on him. Despite the drama, I loved this comment from Shanna Vineyard, who I believe was about six months pregnant at the time: “Hey Kelly! Who’s the “Nameless” webmaster so we can all come lynch him/her???? Bwahahahahha! J/K!!!!!!” I’m sure it was the hormones talking, right Shanna?

So there you have it! Just a few posts that definitely caught our attention in 2009. Hopefully in 2010 we’ll continue to bring you all the things you love, plus introduce some fun things you’ve never seen before! (And I’m sure they’ll be some juicy stories to tell a year from now!)

Happy Friday!
Kelly

P.S. I almost forgot today’s giveaway! As my blogiversary gift to you, leave a comment about absolutely anything and I’ll pick three winners to receive Karen Foster’s Simple Elegance Card Creations Kit and one of our new Betty t-shirts. All comments must be received by midnight (MST) on Sunday, Feb. 7.

Three lucky winners will take home this Karen Foster Design card kit and a Betty t-shirt!

Love have my morning coffee and breakfast with Paper Craft Connection. I love all the articles and inspirations. So I go back and take notes on. Thanks for all the inspiration. Recently got into cardmaking (great way to use up those scraps) when I got involved with “Soliders Angels” for our military serving overseas. The Karen Forster Design Card Kit would be lovely to recieve.

My comment is this simple: Your blog has made be a better crafter! I see a difference in the cards that I make. I am more stylish, I use different techniques, different products. Because you show so many different cards and items I really learn so much! Thank you!

Your post today made me view blogging as a whole new way of working with the public. I never looked at it that way before, with you receiving both positive and maybe sometimes a little negative feedback too. Looking forward to this next year’s batch of posts. Thanks for all you and the Papercrafts team do to keep us inspired.

You are my early morning companion. Cup of coffee in hand, I am trying to be quiet (I live in an apt. bldg. for Seniors), I usually am up too early ! My stamping room is the biggest bedroom, so I have to assume, below me, someone is sleeping in that area. By the time I have read all the blogs, I am full of ideas and raring to go.

I absolutely love Fridays!! After a long week at work, I love the thought of spending the weekend with my husband and daughter. My 2 1/2 year old daughter and I love to hang out in my craft room making absolutely anything. I hope she enjoys to craft well into adulthood!!

I know what you mean Kelly. Sometimes things just don’t go as planned, but I don’t have to contend with posters! Hoping you are having a wonderful day, today! Thank you for all you do here on the blog. And congrats to the lucky winners of BG & Betty’s t-shirts.

Thanks for letting us have a peek behind the scenes of the funny at PC. I’m sure I would be laughing right along with you. Most of those made me even laugh now. You guys are such a wonderful & fun group.

Now I like these giveaways where all you have to do is comment. I love reading your blog everyday. There is alwasy something new and fresh in each in every entry. Thanks for the chance to win, and heres to another wonderful year ahead.

Happy Anniversary!!! Ok – so I know to stay away from Kelly Clarkson, from things to do with “whoopee”, and from the poor webmaster – LOL! Today’s post just cracked me up Kelly. Thank you for my Friday laugh. I’m guessing that things are never dull at Paper Crafts?

Comment about absolutely anything? Here’s a funny that happened a few weeks ago:
My 2-yr-old daughter was sick and woke up crying, so I went in to rock her. My husband (yes, the one I like to make whoopee with) also came in to check on her. Our little one is half asleep and pathetically sick at all too early an hour, so I was a little perturbed when I smelled “that” smell. I whisper sternly to my husband, “Did you just fart?” Before he can answer, Audrey opens her eyes and croaks, “No, dat me,” and goes back to sleep.

Just have to tell you that I love your blog. My comment is to cherish the good things in our lives every day. I just had a good visit with my son that has been unhappy with us for a while but he came home to visit me while my husband is away on business for a week and we were able to talk and laugh together. I will cherish this for a long time.
Thanks for all your inspiration and this wonderful blog.

I wish I could be the fly on the wall sometimes as you are reading all the comments! I hope we cheer you up some days, make you laugh on others and provide you with lots of inspiration to keep this blog going. Reading it is always such fun especially when I have a cup of joe by my side. Thanks for all you do.

My mom just love your blog and magazine. She has to have it when we travel. She has shown me a lot of creative ideas from your magazine. We craft together all of the time. Keep the great ideas comming. Thanks so much.

I didn’t know you were an introvert!
(learn something new everyday!)
What fun/funny comments those were, here is to another year of good reads, thanks for all the hard work you put into this wonderful blog, we all appreciate it!!

I am a virgin poster of course it has been YEARs since I can claim that status in any other form but had to share what my four year old gd just told me. We were in the neighboring town and she touts and attitude and says they need to decorate around here! I thought oh boy here comes another Jaylah quip. ” They need more snow” Uggggggggggggg really in Ohio? LOL

ok, I have to admit this is the first time I have looked at the blog and I am happy I did! You all must have so much fun at work! That is the ideal job – one that you get to play and be creative all day! The birthday cake is fantastic and I love the funny comments. Thanks for doing this blog, I will definitely peek in more often. Love the magazine too – so inspirational. Happy Friday!

Just want to tell you that you’ve been given the “Best Year Spent on a Blog” award!!! I don’t give that award just to anyone!! :) I bring my coffee every morning and never leave without a smile on my face and comment given. Thanks for every word and inspiration you’ve sent my way!

Would to see some design or layout ideas for dog sledding – I know that this is one thing in the North that happens and there is some major money won by those fearless folks. Examples Iditrod and Yukon Quest.

great posts I love the “life sucks” i’ll be making some of those. I would love to win that shirt too, are they for sale anywhere? anyhoo just wanted to let you know that you gals do an amazing job I love this blog!

I really wanted to think of a funny story or something to follow this post, but I’ve been bested by so many ahead of me, so a toast to your anniversary! May you continue the fun and quips and laughs–we’ll follow your lead, Papercrafts!

EEek! I just got an e-mail telling me that I won! :) Yippee! (And… I even read this post FIRST thing this morning to check out what you all were up to today… and didn’t even notice my name.) I’ve been dying to get my hands on one of those Betty T-s!!! :)

Oh… and btw… I just laughed out loud at my computer monitor — after reading Summer’s comment. That was just THE best. LOL!

I never would have thought someone actually read all the posts. I follow 4 blogs, love the inspiration.
and of course its fantastic to win something. but even without a prize the ideas and info are the reason I’m here.
Thank You and keep up the good work.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Snort! Yes Kelly! I was VERY pregnant! But still had my sense of humor about me….. now… 39 weeks into that pregnancy was a TOTALLY different story! Not so funny! HA! Thanks for a FUN blog! Love all you PC girls! ♥♥♥

Funny story today: my almost 1 year old princess loves to check everything with her mouth, like every toodle. And today she was trying very hard to pick a small piece of something from the floor. But she could not use her finger because the jacket was too big, so she just put herself on the belly and tested with her tongue. Was really funny to see her full dressed to go outside in the cold moving like a little pink worm on the floor.

Let me tell you, I LOVE my PaperCrafts! Your mag and blogs are so fabulous, fun and informative. Not to mention full of prizes! :D In my opinion your the best magazine out there and I’ve subscribed to almost every paper craft and card-making mag out there. Keep up the great work!
PS Thanks for the chance to win this week’s prize, too!

Can’t tell you how many ah-ha moments I have had reading your blogs. It is such a thrill to find fresh and inspiring info when I am looking for a special card to create. Would love to win the card set because I am sure that I would find many ideas to complete cards for our Cheermakers Card Group. You see we are a group of ladies that gather together to spred a little cheer to the members of our church who are in the hospital or homebound. But the best part of it all is that when you spred a little cheer, it always come back to you. Thanks for being a cheery friend.

Brighten my day with the Karen Foster giveaway! My day really needs brightening, I’m still at work instead of on a plane headed to the loving arms of my husband and family… my flight was just canceled… apparently, the east coast doesn’t handle snow well. I’ll be spending another lonely night paper crafting instead of holding my new grandson and rocking him to sleep.

My husband is in Dallas at the moment, waiting for his flight home. He bought me the “Stamp it” and the “Card creations, start to finish”. I love the fact the he went shopping for me, I can’t wait for him to get home!!
Eveline.

It’s been a fun week celebrating the blogiversary (did i spell that right? ;) )…but then it’s always a fun week at this blog!
Thanks for all your work to keep us crafters happy and inspired! Hope you have a great weekend.

wow the give away is wonderfull . love the case it comes in would be a great birthday gift with the cards all made for someone. all Karen foster’s products are great
It would certainly make my day.
thanks for doing these giveaways.

A comment about anything??? How about, “Let’s kill the ground hog once and for all! That ought to keep the little bugger underground NEVER to see his dang shadow.” I’m tired of shoveling mass quantities of snow.

Thank you for your inspiration and opportunity to win this kit! I know what you mean about “that could be a blog post”; I often have those moments. My problem is that I have yet to become disciplined enough to sit down and post them. As a result, my blog has been very lonely recently. One of these days I’ll get the posts out of my head and onto the computer. Have a warm, safe weekend! Heather

I love reading the blog and try to read it daily. I thing Freebie Fridays and appreciate winning something twice! “I Spy” for Paper Crafts is so much fun. I love the cards and find them a terrific inspiration.

A post about anything…..could be exactly that. My new flatmate introduced me to cardmaking just a little over a year ago and the world has been such a different place for me since then. Every year or two I seem to discover a new form of ‘therapy’, be it photography or jewellery making or, now, card making. I soon overtook her passion for crafting and have been an excessive collector and creator for the past 13months. I love coming home on a Friday night knowing that the week is behind me and the weekend stretches forth. It usually holds some family time and definitely a church service or two for me, sometimes a wedding or two and often a coffee/lunch/dinner with some besties – but always, always, always there is some time to create, whether that be something from scratch or finishing a project I’ve been working on during the week nights. I love your blog posts for their inspiration, education and confirmation that I have found a truly amazing ‘therapy’ and world of ‘new friends’ that will stay with me forever!!

A comment about anything? Absolutely ANYTHING?!?! Boy, you’ve really opened yourself up here! OK, here’s my comment… it was ME! I’m the one who kept leaving the toilet paper roll on the counter in the Executive Loo, instead of putting the roll on the toilet paper holder, thus driving the boss absolutely bonkers… it… was…. ME!!!!!!

You are doing a great job with this fantastic blog. I enjoy every minute I spend reading your entries and everyone’s comment. I can’t wait to see what the 2nd year of the Paper Craft Connection blog will bring us! Take care, Virginia B.

I just want to say Thanks..Thanks for actually making me believe that someone reads our posts and that they aren’t just ignored. It made me feel that someone really cares enough to sit and read through them…thanks, I needed this.

Enjoying my evening, my daughter is home from college, we’re all just hanging around, relaxing. Thanks for the opportunity to win something, I alway keep trying though so far no luck. Keep up the great work!

I subscribe to MANY scrapbooking/card making/paper crafting blogs and magazines. But Paper Crafts magazine has always been my favorite and recently I discovered your blog. It wasn’t a surprize to me that it is now my favorite blog also!! Keep up the great work. I, and millions of others, depend on you and your team for terrific inspiration!! Thanks a bunch!!

Ok, my last chance to get a Betty shirt! I sure hope you will have them for sale on your website. If I don’t win and you don’t sell them, I’ll go stalk your office in SLC until you give me one!!! *giggle*

Happy anniversary! I have met many wonderful people who share my love of making something other than a mess….when my fiance complains about my stuff being piled up everywhere I tell him to hush….it’s aprt of the creative process….lol

I started scrapbooking when my son was two. Now that he has turned fifteen and trying to be patience with my teenager. I just open my scrapbook when he was little and loveable and it was ok to hug and kiss him in front of everyone. I have remember he is still in there somewhere reaching for me to love him. I know this age is crazy trying to figure who are and where you fit in this so called life? I just him to know I love him and I will always be here for you. I know he won’t see this but if he did I can see him rolling his eyes and walking away…lol He is my inspiration for scrapbooking !!!! Have a Great weekend everyone and thanks for all the good ideas you have they are wonderful…..

Happy blog anniversary! I recently found this site and enjoy reading and seeing all the ideas. I normally sit down with the computer on Saturday mornings and this is one of the sites I love to go to. Thanks for the chance to win.
Rebecca:)

so yesterday i caught my daughter trying on my bras. the thing is, she is 15 months old… how well can she actually “try something on”? she had put her head through the arm straps and was wearing them around her neck like necklaces. she is quite the fashionista!
hahaha:)

Ooo! Ooo! Who cares what’s inside the tin? Just looking at it inspires creative potential: what could be put inside after the contents are used?Imagining what’s inside alone could create several cards… then using the contents…!

Happy blogoversary! I love this blog so please keep sending your wonderful inspiration out into the world! Thanks to the entire Paper Crafts crew for so many months of delicious eye candy and truly great tips and finds!

I receive your PaperCrafts magazine, and purchase the Special Issues at the book/craft stores. I’ve tried to navigate the PC websites before, but they seem to HATE me, I can not for the life of me figure them out…and this is my first attempt to leave a comment and IT’S my 3 try to get it to publish! UGH. I would LOVE to know how to join in on some of the contests, does a person have to have a website to join in? Have been stamping for 20+ yrs, but new to the Blog World. I just saw on someones blog that Teri A. from PC was in the Ptld area teaching…how do I find out when Papercrafters will be teaching in that area? SO Sorry about the long post, but this is frustrating to me and there are no Craft stores or stampers in my little part of the world …Sign, all alone in the little town of Lebanon, Ore…
Thanks, Cliffie
PS Happy Blogoversary!